National News

Mar 27, 2019

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2:41PM

Scrutiny of nominations for 2nd phase of Lok Sabha polls being held today

Representational pic

Scrutiny of nominations for the second phase of Lok Sabha elections to be held on 18th of next month is being held today. Ninety seven constituencies, spread over 13 States and Union Territories, will go to polls in this phase. In Tamil Nadu all 39 seats, in Maharashtra 10 seats, Eight seats in Uttar Pradesh, five each in Assam, Bihar and Odisha; three each in Chhattisgarh and West Bengal; two in Jammu and Kashmir; and one each in Manipur, Tripura and Puducherry will go to polls in the second phase.

In Karnataka 362 candidates have filed 455 nominations in 14 constituencies for the second phase. Among them 337 are male and 25 female candidates. 203 are Independents. March 29th is the last day to withdraw the nominations. Out of 28 seats in the state, Congress is contesting from 21 seats, JD(S) from 7 and BJP from 27 seats.

AIR correspondent reports, highest number of 40 candidates have filed nominations from Bangalore North constituency and least of 13 candidates are contesting from Hassan and Chamrajnagara. Prominent among those who are in the electoral race are Deve Gowda of JD(S), M Veerappa Moily, of Congress, D V Sadananda Gowda from BJP.
The scrutiny of nominations for the first phase was held yesterday. Ninety one constituencies spread over 18 States and 2 Union Territories will go to polls in this phase on 11th of next month. Tomorrow will be the last day for withdrawal of nominations.
In Sikkim, 11 candidates have filed nomination papers for lone Lok Sabha seat where voting will take place on 11th April. They include Laten Tshering Sherpa of BJP, Bharat Basnet of Congress and DB Katwal of Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). Three Independent candidates including one woman have also filed nomination papers. Assembly elections in the state will be held simultaneously.
Election Commission has appointed Special Expenditure Observers for six States in view of the forthcoming elections. These states are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Nagaland and Telangana. The Commission has also appointed two Special Central Police Observers for Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Tripura and Mijoram.

In Bihar, over 17 thousand central para military forces will be deployed in four naxal affected parliamentary constituencies in the state. The four constituencies - Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada and Jamui will go to polls in the first phase on April 11. AIR correspondent reports that the Director General of Police Gupteshwar Pandey said security forces will be deployed strategically with emphasis on polling booths in rural areas. Since elections will be held in seven phases in the state this time, the central forces will remain stationed till the completion of the poll process. The DGP said they will be deployed in different constituencies phase wise. Police sources said Maoists might attempt to disrupt polling in the first phase. With the deployment adequate number of Central forces, any attempt by the Maoists to disrupt the poll process will be thwarted.
In Assam the state election commission has taken up initiatives to maximise participation of first time voters, people with physical disabilities, senior citizens and female voters in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.